Aeolian Winds, Trader Joe's
Yesterday (Sunday) my friend and I went to hear the Aeolian Winds quintet at Sacred Heart Church, after a brief tour of the building. They played
Sechs Bagatellen fur Blaserquintett (Ligeti),
Quattro Tempi, Opus 55 (Larsson)
and
Quintett, Opus 79 (Klughardt).
The piece by Ligeti's second movement/rubato reminded me of the ballet about the Minotaur, the third movement/allegro grazioso reminded me of a river in a great canyon.
We ran into Barb and Renee, and Michelle and Sean at the concert.
After the concert, we went to Trader Joe's, which was crowded despite the Steeler game. I ran into Marissa there, who said it was even MORE crowded on opening day (Thursday). Also ran into Jay, and introduced him to my friend, who prefers to remain nameless. Cherie was in the car waiting for Les and Marissa. We went for food at TASTY, where we had General Tso's chicken and stir-fried garlic Chinese water spinach. mmmmm...Tasty!
Asleep in my arms....
...was Twinkle.
Saturday I was to join the PAYPAA group for a Chinese banquet. Due to a minor emregency, I was unable to attend, but labwork was completed toward someone's health. I went to Wawa, Marissa, and Twinkle's home after lunch; and Twinkle a.k.a. Beatrice Felisa, fell asleep in my arms after feeding. She slept quite soundly from 2 in the afternoon until ~5:30pm. I slept, too. What a great afternoon!
I remember setting a new baby sleep record with Miranda at Phyl and Gene's home, and she was older than Twinkle is...Miranda seemed more persnickety about falling asleep when she was an infant/baby.
Hallowe'en chez Barb
Friday I travelled up to Barb's home with Judi and Doug for a great Hallowe'en party. We all arrived in costume, ate veggies, wings, and dips, pizza (had a chance to try anchovy pizza from Cici's), and various punches and cider. Barbara's former coworker and her entourage arrived. After munching, we played a game about Hallowe'en and its traditions (which Judi won), carved pumpkins with various carving equipment (ranging from tiny bread knives to a hunting knife) and we judged the carving contest (which another Doug won), then we ate some caramel and chocolate fondue with fruits ranging from mangoes to pineapples to strawberries to apples, and then Barb organized the motley crew to do the line dance to the Monster Mash. (It was a graveyard smash!)
What fun! The weather cooperated, providing a misty/spooky atmosphere. All we needed was Bach's "Toccata and Fugue", supplied when we arrived at the party.
Twinkle at home...Wangari Muta Maathai
Yesterday Mom and I visited Twinkle and Marissa at home. We had a great lunch of our favorite parmesan chicken and macaroni and cheese and sliced apples. Marissa and I went for a walk while Twinkle kept company with Lola. It was Marissa's chance to "air out" with Milo and me. I then went to campus for some appointments, returned afterwards to spend some quality time with Twinks and Marissa, then Mom and I headed home after William returned from work.
I went to the talk/lecture by Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize winner and University of Pittsburgh alumna, during which she stressed that we must all share our limited resources equitably. After her talk, Chancellor Nordenberg presented an honorary doctorate degree to her. A meet and greet was held in the Great Hall of the Cathedral of Learning. It was pleasant and an honor to speak with her.
I met Ornella at Spice Island Tea House for a grilled meal to celebrate her birthday.
St. Paul Cathedral--Centenary Mass
It was a wonderful honor to be a lector at the St. Paul Cathedral Centenary Mass yesterday. Both Cecile (the first reader) and I agreed on this point. The music was marvellous to listen to from the main altar--the combined Pittsburgh Diocesan and St. Paul Cathedral choirs, led by Fr. Jim Chepponis; as well as the von Beckerath organ played by Ken and Don. Diane was the cantor for the day. The Knights of Columbus were preceded by the Knights of Malta and other service organizations. Cecile and I were amidst the K of C for the procession into the Cathedral. Finally, there were the seminarians, dozens of priests, and a number of bishops from around the USA, and from Washington, DC, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl. There were remarks by Auxiliary Bishop Paul Bradley at the outset, and a booklet about the history of the Cathedral for all attending at the end.
What a magnificent, wonderful ceremony. I have never been part of something like this in my whole life. "I Was Glad," does not even begin to describe my feelings!
Twinkle's been home...
...since the end of last work week. We are so glad she's there, and have had a chance to visit with her in her home, too. Just yesterday, I had a chance to bottle-feed her.
Time to eat...
...Mom, Dad, and I visited Twinkle's pod at the hospital yesterday night. Marissa was feeding her and she started to fall asleep. Time for Auntie Mimi and the bottle! She drank practically all of the ~1 oz. in the bottle.
Pineapple upside-down cake for the adults.
What a lovely...
...name for a lovely baby! She has as her first names her mom's maternal grandmother's name and her dad's maternal grandmother's name, her middle name is her mom's maiden name, and her last name is her dad's family name.
She looked so relaxed while basking in the lights of her mini tanning bed. ooooooo VaCaTion from Mom and Dad!
I visited...
..my new niece at the hospital with her mom and dad last night. She is a pretty little girl with lots of hair who looks like both mom and dad. Grandma and Grandpa were there, as were Lola and Lolo. Welcome!
I wanna visit...
William and Marissa's baby outside of her belly!
Chris is back in the USA
My dad's godchild (ina-anak) is back in the States recuperating after his tour of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is an article in the Parkersburg News-Sentinel. We are so lucky to have him and his family friends with our family.
Steelers v. Chargers Game, 8 October 2006
Tonight, Mom, Dad, and I headed to William and Marissa's and met up with Les, Cherie, and Charles to view the Steelers game.
Jen and Brian's Wedding
After spending Friday afternoon helping to set up the midterm for the classes (and taking a "dry run" of the exam and finding one small correction), I headed out to Mother of Sorrows church in Murrysville for the wedding rehearsal. There were several Brians, Jennifers (including a Brian and Jennifer husband and wife, and two Jennifer F.'s), and two Graces (including myself, and one of the flower girls). Needless to say, when Mnsgr. Curci started the rehearsal and asked us to line up in order, with "Grace first," I asked,"Which Grace?"
I was fortunate enough to sit next to Brian's parents and his brother, the best man, at the rehearsal dinner. His father toasted the betrothed couple and the bride-to-be several times throughout the evening. The sole, twice-baked potatos, and veggies were delightful.
Saturday morning brought Jen's dulcet voice singing "Grow Old Along with Me," as we quietly arose the morning of her wedding while at Jen's parents' home.
At 8 in the morning the rest of the bridesmaids began to trickle in, and we had breakfast and took turns having Tammy do our hair. Most of us ended up with up-dos whereas Kim and Tammy straightened my hair then curled it softly around my face. We then did each others' make-up while taking turns eating roasted turkey sandwiches with gravy and sliced melons and pineapple. Then it was time to get dressed--the dresses were long layers of sheer aubergine in an ankle-length dress with spaghetti straps, a beaded empire waistline, and flowers cascading down the left shoulder. Next, the bridesmaids and children piled into one limousine, and we arrived at church.
Quotes from Jen and Brian's wedding:
Princeton, 4yrs., on the way to the reception: "Hey, Mommy, you know what weddings lead to? (his mom, Charla, and I exchange glances)....cookie tables!!!"
Jen, singing to Brian at the reception: "Grow Old Along with Me"
Guy, at the end of the reception: "The highlight of the evening, next to dancing with my girls, was driving around in the golf carts."
People, in the golf carts: (laughter and hoots)
Me, to Jen's mom at the end of the reception: "I'm proud to say that I was part of this wedding party--Both your families are close-knit and faithful. You are blessed..."
Jen's Bridesmaid Party
This Thursday, the 5th of October, was Jen's bridesmaids party. We met at her sister, Kim's, home where we had delicious tapas and had a chance to meet and interact with each other. After dining, we had karaoke/minus one fun with the children, then Kim's neighbor Tammy manicured our hands. It was the first time I have ever had a professional manicure, and the ridges and valleys were all buffed smooth, and treated to a French manicure. Kim, Jillea, Charla and I had met earlier when undergoing various bridesmaid tasks; Edda flew in from Berlin, Germany to join us as bridesmaids. I departed earliest, as I read at the 8:15 Mass at the Cathedral on Friday morning.
